Donald A. Ulrich (1928-2013)

​Born and raised in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Donald A. Ulrich attended the University of Colorado, Boulder, CSU Long Beach, UCLA and spent three years in Vienna, Austria where he immersed himself in opera and art. Don taught art and photography at Long Beach Public High Schools. He was professionally engaged in the UCLA Arts and Humanities Center, the Santa Barbara Art Institute and the Junior Arts Center in Los Angeles. In addition, he was founding administrator at the California Arts Institute in Valencia.

After moving to Ventura in 1972 with his family, Don Ulrich owned the Creative Arts Gallery and Studio as well as the Lemon Turtle Café and taught art to private groups.

Don participated in many national arts commissions and arts in public places events. Showcasing a wide range from formal to whimsical, from minute to gigantic projects, his paintings were exhibited at the Panama and Latvian Embassies, his large sculptural pieces and floats appeared in county parades and a 200 piece ceiling beam sculpture ONCE UPON A JUNGLE was displayed at Wright Library in Ventura.

The works displayed throughout the clinic demonstrate the artist’s broad command of method, material, subject matter and style. Visitors consistently comment on Don’s brilliant use of color and the recurrence of familiar Ventura County landmarks and vistas. The still lives and depictions of otherwise mundane scenes: tablescapes, vases and plates, vegetables, fruits and flowers convey the artist’s uncanny ability to capture joy and beauty in every day life. Don’s work reflects wide ranging influences from primitive art to impressionism, cubism to abstract art, Pollock to Dali, Klimt to Picasso. Enjoy.